Smoky Mountain Historical Society July meeting set
The Smoky Mountain Historical Society will hold its July meeting at 2 p.m. on Sunday at the Sevier County Courthouse. The meeting program will be about Pigeon Forge Historical Markers. Pigeon Forge Public Library Director Marcia Nelson and Historian Christina Wolfenbarger will present the program. The Courthouse West doors will be open at about 1:30. Light refreshments will be served. The public is welcome.
Sevierville Community Center Bowling Center to close for maintenance
SEVIERVILLE — The Sevierville Community Center Bowling Center is scheduled will be closed for regular maintenance Wednesday, Aug. 3-Friday, Aug. 5. The center is scheduled to reopen at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 6. For additional information, please call 865-453-5441.
Saltsman named to serve on Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission
NASHVILLE — John “Chip” Saltsman has been named to the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission. His appointment as a statewide commissioner is effective immediately and was made by Tennessee Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton. Saltsman has worked as a consultant on several national and state campaigns. He also served as Senior Political Advisor to former Senior Senate Majority Advisor Bill Frist at VOLPAC, a political action committee chaired by the senator. He began his career on Gov. Don Sunquist’s staff and later served as chairman of the Tennessee Republican Party for a time. Saltsman resides in his hometown of Nashville. He replaces Jim Ripley on the governing body of the Agency. Commissioner Ripley, who served as chairman in 2021-22, resigned his commission position to become Chancellor (Judge) of the Chancery Court of the 4th and 5th Judicial Districts in East Tennessee. His appointment to the commission was set to expire in February 2023.
Rusty Thompson promoted to district sergeant
MORRISTOWN — TWRA has promoted Cocke County Wildlife Officer Rusty Thompson to the rank of sergeant in east Tennessee’s District 42. Sergeant Thompson’s new responsibilities include an emphasis on training new and current officers, enforcement and education of paddlesports, and supervision of officers in Cocke and Jefferson counties.
Sergeant Thompson is a 2009 graduate of Tennessee Tech University with a bachelor’s degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Science. While in college, he worked with TWRA as a nongame intern in 2008 and spent a year on a white-tailed deer ranch in Texas upon graduation. He was hired as a wildlife officer in middle Tennessee in 2010 and transferred to Cocke County in 2020. District 42 Captain Tim Sain and Lt. Bryan Kegley presented Sgt. Thompson with his gold badge at a pinning ceremony held at the TWRA regional office in Morristown last month. Sgt. Thompson’s family and several officers were present to celebrate his promotion.
